When you have to sneak down a hallway (because, say, a large eyeball is staring down it), your footsteps are accompanied by suitably cartoony piano chords.

It may be hidden in Marketplace’s shadows, but Haunt isn’t forgettable XBLA fare. In fact, it’s one of the more entertaining and atmospheric Kinect games yet.

The game casts you as the pawn of imprisoned eccentric Benjamin Muldoon, a man trapped inside his haunted mansion’s many paintings who needs you to help free his spirit. Voiced by famed developer Tim Schafer, Muldoon is one of the most endearing NPCs since Portal 2’s GLaDOS and Wheatley. A few flat readings aside, Schafer delivers a stellar performance thanks to a delightful script that keeps you moving just to hear Muldoon’s comments on each bizarre situation. Even if you don’t like the steady stream of humor, the mansion provides plenty of character on its own, with ingenious obstacles, spooky set-pieces, and a memorable cast of specters (though we could have used another enemy type or two).

While it takes a few minutes to grow accustomed to the Kinect control scheme, Haunt’s “point-and-walk” movement becomes second nature before you know it, due mainly to the numerous hotspots you can hone in on with the flashlight pointer. The game’s arguably a bit short (though it is $10), and some of the ghost encounters are marred by attack prompts that aren’t always recognized. But if you have the patience (and the health reserves) to endure a few irritating battles, you’ll find Haunt worth the visit.

PUBLISHER: Microsoft Studios  •  DEVELOPER: NanaOn-Sha, Zoë Mode  •  ESRB: Everyone 10+  •  MULTIPLAYER: None  •  ACHIEVEMENTS: Easy 200G  •  COST: 800 Microsoft Points ($10)

On Xbox Live Arcade (Kinect Required)

+ A gorgeous, atmospheric world that looks equal parts Tim Burton and Luigi’s Mansion.

+ An excellent script carried by a surprisingly good performance from Double Fine's Tim Schafer.

– Pretty short and lacking in enemy variety; misread movements can sometimes lead to frustrating encounters.

? Why do we have to close drawers and cabinets after examining them?

8.0